Megan Thee Stallion launched her defamation case in a Florida federal courtroom this week, accusing Milagro Gramz of spreading false claims, boosting a pretend pornographic video and aligning with Tory Lanez to break her status and profession.

The trial opened with Milagro Gramz taking the stand as the primary witness. Her first protection? She believed the express video she shared of Megan was genuine, according to Megan Cunifh, who is covering the trial.

That declare may carry authorized penalties. Under Florida legislation, distributing sexually express content material of an actual individual with out their consent, generally known as “revenge p###,” can set off each civil and felony penalties, particularly if the content material just isn’t digitally altered.

Though Milagro’s protection hinges on her perception that the video was actual, that admission might not shield her from legal responsibility.

John O’Sullivan performed audio of the gunshots from the 2020 taking pictures involving Tory Lanez, then advised jurors that Milagro noticed the incident as “her shot at the spotlight.”

Milagro’s legal professional, Jeremy McLymont, argued she merely known as Megan a liar “because Megan lied.”

The defamation lawsuit, filed in October 2024, alleges that Milagro orchestrated a targeted social media campaign that disseminated falsehoods about the rapper’s testimony in the criminal trial against Lanez.

Megan’s authorized group claims the harassment marketing campaign value her main enterprise offers, together with a model partnership with Google, and compelled her to step again from public engagements because of the emotional toll.

“These were career-amplifying opportunities that were available to Ms. Pete, but she could not capitalize on, as she was unable to be fully present in her career due to the ongoing campaign of harassment that persisted for years,” a memorandum submitted to the court docket said.

The filings additionally allege that Lanez and his father, Sonstar Peterson, financially supported Milagro’s efforts to unfold misinformation concerning the case, even after Tory Lanez’s conviction.

The court docket beforehand dominated that Milagro can not declare journalistic protections underneath the First Amendment.

In livestreams, she admitted, “I did not tell anybody I was a reporter… I ain’t never told you I went to school for journalism… You don’t need to be a journalist to give an opinion.”

That admission, in accordance with the decide, disqualified her from protections sometimes granted to working reporters. Megan’s authorized group additionally secured sanctions in opposition to her for deleting proof and failing to adjust to discovery orders.

Milagro Gramz has denied all allegations and any coordination with Lanez.

The trial is predicted to proceed all through the week and conclude on Wednesday, pending testimony from each events and skilled witnesses.

The jury will decide whether or not Gramz’s actions meet the authorized customary for defamation and if Megan must be awarded damages.

Tory Lanez, who was convicted in 2022 of shooting Megan in the foot, is currently serving a 10-year sentence. His enchantment was just lately denied.

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